Coal cutting, drilling, and loading machine



April 18, 1961 R. H. GooDRlcH COAL CUTTING, DRILLING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed May 5l, 1956 v 7 Sheets- Sheet 1 BYMICKOW,

AroR/VEK April 18, 1961 R. H. GooDRlcH coAI. CUTTING, DRILLING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed May s1, 195e '7 Sheets- Sheet 2 /N VEN TOR: 605.5 H. GooH/ 6H.

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April 18, 1961 R. H, GooDRlcH 2,980,409

COAL CUTTING, DRILLING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 oo 0 o o o am f FORO Q NL PQ NQ V ATTORNEK April 18, 1961 R. H. GooDRlcH 2,980,409

COA.. CUTTING, DRILLING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed May 3l, 1956 7 Sheets- Sheet 5 Q@ kw.

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//V l/E/V 70A Ross/7c Gamm/CH April 18, 1961 R. H. GooDRlcH 2,980,409

COAL CUTTING, DRILLING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed May 51, 195e 7 sheets-sheet e 75 77 75 79 /00 /a/ a2 y /A/ VEN TOR t R055 h'. @000E/GH.

April 18, 1961 R. H. GooDRxcH COAL CUTTING, DRILLING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed May 5l, 1956 7 Sheets- Sheet 7 'ing and loading of coal.

Zhfid Patented Apr. l, il

COAL CUTTING, DRILLHG, AND LOADING R-IACHINE YRoss H. Goodrich, Ciaremont, NH., assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corp-eranon of Pennsylvania Filed May 31, 1955, Ser. No. 583,473 14 Claims. (Ci. 262-9) This invention relates to a mining apparatus and more particularly to a combined cutting, drilling and loading machine whereby a self-contained unitary structure may replace separate cutting, drilling and loading units.

In the mining of mineral such as coal, the coal is usually cut by a kerf cutting machine which may cut one or more slots or kerfs in the solid coal. Thereafter the coal is drilled by =a separate blast hole drilling machine and blasted down in a conventional manner. Then a loading machine is brought up to the face and the shot-down coal is loaded out. The present invention contemplates improvements over previous cutting, drilling and loading machines in that the cutting, drilling and loading functions are effected by a self-contained unit involving smaller original outlay in equipment and reducing the cost of maintenance, resulting in the production of coal in an etiicient and a more economical manner.

a An object of the present invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus. Another object is to provide an improved self-contained coal mining apparatus having cutting, drilling and loading functions. A furrrtrher object is to provide an improved combined cutting, drilling and loading apparatus mounted on a mobile base and embodying elements common to the cutting, drilling and loading functions of the machine. A still further object is to provide an improved cutting and loading machine wherein the kerf cutter may act as a gathering bar and cooperates with a conveyor in the loading of loose 'coal at the face. Yet another object is to provide an improved kerf cutting machine of the universally adjustable cutter bar type having conveying means associated therewith to provide a self-contained cutting and loading 'unit wherein the cutter bar is operable not only to cutthe but also may act as a gathering bar to load the loose coal onto the conveying means. A still further object is to provide an improved conveying means having an adjustable forward receiving portion which may be retracted from the face during the cutting operation and may be etended toward the face during the loading operation. Another object is to provide an adjustable kerf cutting means having its cutter bar adjustable to serve as a gatheiin'g bar to gather loose coal on the mine -oor and lmove it laterally to the receiving portion of the conveying means. A still further object is to provide an improved Y't'xnit'ary cutting, drilling and loadingrmachine wherein the parts cooperate in a novel manner to effect cutting, drill- Other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear. y

inthe accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one .form which the invention may 4assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of the improved unitary cutting, drilling and loading machine, with the kerf cutting mechnism, drilling mechanism and conveying means disposed in 't-'ramming position. v

Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine shown in Fig. 1

with the cutter bar lowered to the mine door and different positions of the drill indicated in full and dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the kerf cutting mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the kerf cutting mechanism shown in Fig. 3.

Figs. 5 and 5a, taken together, are an enlarged longitudinal vertical section taken on line 5-58 of Pig. 1, showing the front receiving portion of the conveyor in raised tilted position.

Figs. 6 and 6a, taken together, are `an enlarged lon gitudinal vertical section taken on line 6--6a of Fig. 1, showing the receiving portion of the conveyor lowered to the mine floor.

Fig. 7 is a cross section taken'on line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 6a.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. l, showing the swivelled drill mounting.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. l1 is a schematic view showing the hydraulic iiuid system.

Figs. 12 to l5 inclusive are diagrammatic views showing the machine in its dierent operating positions in an underground mine.

The improved combined cutting, drilling and loading machine generally comprises a mobile base 1 carrying an adjustable kerf cutting mechanism generally designated 2, an adjustable drilling mechanism generally designated 3, and a loading mechanism generally designated 4.

The mobile base 1 may assume various forms but herein, for illustrative pu-rposes, may be similar to that disclosed in the Baldwin et al. Patent No. 2,562,881, dated August 7, i951, also owned by the assignee of the present invention, and the kerf cutting mechanism 2 mounted on the base likewise, for illustrative purposes, may be similar -to that of this patent. The mobile base includes a frame 5 mounted on rubber-tired steering and traction wheels 6 and 7, although evidently, if desired, the base frame may be mounted in other conventional manners as on crawler treads or track engaging wheels.

The base frame carries a motor 8,-desirably an electric motor, to which motive power may be conducted through a power conductor cable 9 wound on an automatic cable reel mechanism 10. The motor 8 drives the front traction wheels 7 and a pumping means 11 for supplying liquid under pressure to the various hydraulically operated devices of the machine.

The kerf cutting mechanism 2 may assume Various forms but herein, as shown specically in Figs. 3 and 4, comprises a horizontal turntable 12 on which is pivotally mounted to swing vertically a Iboom frame 13 carrying a cutter head 14 rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the boom `frame. Pivotally mounted at l5 on the rotatable head is a tiltable support 16 on which is swivelly mounted -an elongated plane cutter bar 17 about the margin of which an endless cutter chain 18 is guided for orbital circulation. A motor 19, desirably an electric motor, is carried by the rearward portion of the boom frame for driving the cutter chain and power medium may be supplied to this motor through the conductor cable 9. Hydraulic cylinders 20 serve to tilt the boom frame in a vertical direction relative to the turntable about a horizontal pivot shaft 20 while a hydraulic cylinder 21 serves to tilt the support 16 about its pivot relative to the rotatable head. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 22 serve to swing the cutter bar about its pivot relative to the tiltable support 16 while a conventional reversible hydraulic motor 23 serves to rotate the head about the longitudinal axis of the boom frame. The

' Yturntable 12 may be rotated-relative to the base frame Y by a' similarreversible hydraulic motor 24 (Fig. 11).`

From the foregoing it will be evident that the cutter barJT-may be adjusted ,to outV kerfs in. the Solidnlnral of a mineA vein in'horizontal planes at any desired locationbetween thermineoor and roof andto cut .vertical shear-kerfs at any desired'location betweenthe ribs, as isrfully disclosed inthe Baldwin et al. patent above rey' ferred'to. I' g Y Nowreferring tothe drilling mechanism`3which may assume V,various forms, Vit will be observed that mounted on the machine-baserearwardlyof the kerfcutting mechanism 2 is aswivelled frame 25 turnable about Aa vertical axisrelative to the base-frame 'and pivotallyjmounted at 26"onr the swivelled frame is a vertically ,swingablelbo'om frame"27 which carries a; rotatable support 28 arranged Y with its axis of rotationV extending generally lengthwise of `theboom trarne.` Swingably .mounted at the outer portion ofthe swivelled support is a yoke frame 29` on whichristiltably mounted at 3,0an elongated drill guide frameilgextendingnforwardly above the lrerfV cutting mechanism; as shown in Fig; 2.

vA rotary drilling Vtool 32 is guided for rectilinear back andforthmovements along the' guide frame andl this drilling toolbars. a hydraulic .motor 33v `for rotating an auger drill steel 34 which carries an auger drill bit 35. A conventionalYreversibleV hydraulic motor 36 servesV to Aeedthe drilling tool along the guide frame while a hydraulic cylinder 37 serves to tilt the guide' frame about its. pivot relative. toV the yoke frame29.' Hydraulic cylinders 38 serve to swing the yokeY frame on its swivel relative to the rotatable support 28 andthe latter maybe rortatedrby aV conventional reversible hydraulic motor 39.

draulic cylinder 40 `is pivotally Ymounted at 46 on thev booml frame and contains-a reciprocable piston 47 having its piston rod `4,8 pivotally connected at 49 to the upper portion of therswivelledfframe 25, As shown in Fig. 10 the swivelled frame'25 may be turned horizontally'ahout the vertical pivot shaft 43V by the hydraulic cylinderr41 'pivotallymounted at 50,',on the base frame and contain- Y orbital circulation relative-'to the front conveyor frame 64 isV an'endless conveyor vchain 68 having Vlateral ights 69 which move the loose coal vbeing conveyed along a bottom plate 70 of a troughlike upper portion 71. The rear conveyor comprises an endless conveyor chain 72 having lateral ights 73 which move along a bottom plate 74 of a troughlike upperv frame portion 75. An inclined ramp 76 (Figs.'6a and 8) is prvidedlattheinner side of the forward tiltablefportion of the front conveyor, and loose coal may be moved from V.the mine oor up along this ramp onto the forward receiving Yportionof the frontV conveyor in a manner to-be later explained. The front end of the conveyor frame is similarly inclined at 77 to facilitate penetration *of the looseV coal as the front conveyor isY extended toward the coal face. Hydraulic cylinders "78 (Figs. l, 6 Yand 7) areY secured to the sides of the rear conveyor 'frame and contain reciprocable pistons 79 .having their piston rods 8G-fat- Vtached at l'tobrackets 82 securedtojhe sidesof the lslidable front conveyor frame 64, wherebythe front con; veyor maybe slidback and forth forY retraction from `or extension toward Vthe workingnfac'e of Ythe-coal seam.

v yThe front conveyor chainsrnay bedriven, byk a motor 83, desirably anelectric :motor,1 and similary motors 84 `serve to'drive the rear conveyor chain, in'eonventional manners. Here, too, power mediumYm-ay be-conducted "to these electric Vmotors through the power rconductor Vcable 9. AV hydraulic cylinder SSVser'ves totilt the rear- `wardrportion ofthe rearV conveyor iandthe rearward portion of the rear conveyor may be swung horizontally by hydraulic cylinders 86 (Figs. 5 'and`1l). The outer frontend ofthe front conveyor framemay have a curved abutment member 87 which may-engage with a rib near ing a'reciprocablepiston 51 having lits piston rod '52 connected atV 53ftora reciprocable rack 54 guided along a guideway 55; 'Y The teeth 'of this rackengage the teeth of a gear 'segment 56 secured to the swivelled frame 25. It will thus be seen that therdrillingtool may `be adjusted through a wide range of drilling positions with respect Vto the machine base, thereby to enable drilling of blast holes in the coal face `at variousV locations between the mine roof and oor and between the ribs. .Y Y Y The loading mechanism 4 is supported on lateral armlike supports 58 and k59v at one sideY of the mobile base V(Fig. 1) andcomprises a front elevating conveyor 60 and arear vdischarge conveyor 61'. 'Ihese conveyors have superimposedoverlapping pgrtions, shownV in Fig.V 5, and-the rear conveyor has a frame 62 secured to the Yarmlike `supports 58 and` 59 and provides a longitudinal guideway 63 along which aV frame 64J orfthe lfront 'con'- vveyor V'isiguided forY rectilinear movement longitudinally ofthe machine base. VThe overlapping portions of the conveyors enablethej front conveyorftddischarge onto the rear conveyorirrespective of the position of lthe Afront conveyor relative to the rear'conveyor.V The slidable frame64-of the iront conveyorhas `a tiltable for- Vward Yportion 65 Apivoted at 66 and hydraulic cylinders v67 serve to tilt the forward conveyor portion between a-position at the floor level (Fig. 6a) Yand aV raised inopposite ends ofcylinders 78 for` slidingV the front conf the coal face. Y v l A s shownrschematically in Fig. Yl1, theY pumping means '11, whichmay assume any conventional form,'has its 'suction side connected by a conduit'89 connected to a liquid tank 90 carried on the machine base and the discharge side of the pumping meansis connected by a conduit 91 to the pressure passage of a. valve box 92 of a conventional control valve mechanism likewise carried on the machine base. The discharge passage of the valve box is connected by a conduit 93 back to the tank. The valve box'is desirably made up of sections having bores for receiving conventional spool type slide valves 94,95, 96, 97, 98, 99,1100, 101, 102 and 103, each having an operating handle. The bore containing the slide valve `94 is connected Vby conduits 104. and 105 to the motor 24.for rotating the turntable'12, while theY bore contain ing the slide valve 95 is Yconnected by a `conduit 106 to the boom tilt cylinders 20. The bore containing the slidevalve 96 is connected by conduits 107 and 108 to the motor 23 for rotating the cutter head, while *theV bore Ycontaining the slide valve 97 connected through conduits 109 and 110 to the opposite ends of the tilt cylinder 37. The bore containing the slide valve 98 is connected jbyl conduits 111and 112 tothe opposite ends of the swing` cylinders 22 for the cutter bar, while the bore Vcontaining the 'slide valve 99 is connected by conduits 113 'and 114Yt'o the opposite ends of the Vtilt cylinder 85 for the rear conveyor The bore containing the slide valve 100 is rconnected by conduits 115fand116 to the .opposite ends of the cylindery 41 for horizontally swinging the drill for 'the' drill boom frame.` The bore containing the slide valve ,102 is connected by conduits 118 and 119 .to the ve'yor', while the boreV containing theY slide valve. 103 is connected by a conduit f120 to the tilt cylinders 67 for the front receiving portion of the conveyor. yThe cylinders 22, 37, 41, 78 and 85 are double acting and their respective slide valves may be positioned toftrap fluid therein to hold the parts moved thereby adjusted posi- /M i, K. tf i., fmt.. .Ar 's c. 32'. v

essonne Referring to the diagrammatic views of Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive the general mode of operation of the improved cutting, drilling and loading machine will now be described. In Fig. 12 the front conveyor and the drilling tool are in retracted positions on the machine-base and the cutter bar of the kerf cutting mechanism is disposed at the oor level in horizontally sumped position at the right-hand rib. At this time, as shown, the machine is Vangled slightly with respect to the ribs and the curved abutment 87 at the front end of the front conveyor frame is disposed against the left-hand rib. When the machine is so positioned the forward receiving portionof the conveying means is in its upwardly tilted position, as shown in Fig. a, so that the outer portion or the cutter bar may move beneath the :same as it is swung horizontally, by rotation of the turntable v12, across the coal face to form a horizontal slot or kerf in the coal at the floor level. By rotating the cutter head l14 the cutter bar may be `dis posed in a vertical shearing position to cut a vertical kerf in the coal, in a well-known manner, and during either the horizontal or vertical cutting operation the cutter bar may be swung about its pivot by the swing cylinders 22 to change its angular position as desired. The mode of operation of the coal cutting machine is fully disclosed in the above mentioned Baldwin et al. patent and therefore further detailed description thereof is herein unnecessary.

Upon completion of the kerf cutting operation the drill boom frame may be adjusted by suitable operation of the swing cylinders 49 and 41 to bring the drilling tool into the desired drilling position with respect to the coal face, as shown in Fig. 13, and blast holes may be drilled, and upon completion of drilling the machine may be retracted from the face as shown in Fig. 14, and the cut coal may be blasted from the face Yas shown.

The machine may then again be brought up near the face as shown in Fig. l5, and the hydraulic cylinder 78 may be operated to extend the front conveyor to bring its lowered receiving portion beneath the shot-down coal up close to the face at the left hand rib. The cutter bar may then be brought into the substantially verticaledgewise position shown and by swinging the boom frame 13 horizontally the cutter bar may act as a gathering bar to gather the loose coal on the mine iloor and move it laterally toward and up 'the 'ramp 76 onto the front conveyor which conveys the coal rearwardly to discharge onto the rear conveyor, the latter in turn moving the coal lrearwardly to a convenient point of discharge as for eX- ample into a shuttle car, onto a conveyor or other receiving means. Under certain conditions, the cutter bar when in horizontal position may penetrate beneath large blocks of standing coal and lift and move laterally the block of coal onto the front conveyor. Also the cutter bar may disintegrate blocks of coal which are too large for handling by the conveying means.

As a result of this invention an improved combined cutting, drilling and loading machine is provided whereby the com may be economically and eiciently mined out. By mounting the cutting, drilling and loading mechanisms on a common mobile base, elements common to the cutting, drilling and loading functions may be provided thereby substantially reducing the cost which would be necessary if separate cutting, drilling and loading units were employed. By utilizing the cutter bar as a gathering bar for moving the loose coal on the mine Hoor laterally toward the front conveyor the gathering operation is greatly simplied, and any need for separate gathering means is eliminated. The unitary cutting, drilling and loading machine is not only economical in operation but is also relatively rugged and compact in design, Well adapted for use in the mining of coal in an underground mine. Other advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it

will be understood that this form of the same is shown Vfor purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms 'witlrout departing from its spiritfor the scope of the 'appended claims.

Y What I claim as new andV desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y

l. In combination, a mobile base, ke'rf cutting mechanism mounted on saidjbase for movement relative'the'reto to eiec't cuttingfof plane kerfs in the solid mineral of a mine vein, drilling mechanism adjustably mounted on said base rearwardly of the eiectivecutting portion of s'aid kerf l'cuttingr'nec'zhanis'in and extending abovefthe latter for drilling `blast holes in the numeral at 'various locations in 'the face, and loadingmechanismmmounted on said base longitudinally at one side of :said base and laterally of said kerf cutting and Vdrilling mechanisms, said loading mechanism having a forward receiving cohveyor portion disposed at the o'or level, and, said cutting mechanism being positionable and operable to eiect its kerf cutting operation by movement relative to said drilling and loading mechanisms, and said drilling and loading mechanisms positionable while mouutably retained on said base to permit such operation of said kerf cutting mechanism during cutting.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said loading means has a conveyor which provides said forward receiving portion, and means is provided on said base for extending and retracting said forward conveyor portion with respect to said base. I

3. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said loading mechanism includes a conveyor having a titltable forward receiving portion disposable 'at the floor level, and means is provided on said base 'for tilting said 'forward receiving portion to provide a space therebeneatli, and said kerf cutting mechanism includes a l'iorizonta'llyl movable kerf cutter movable into the space beneath said conveyor portion during the kerf cutting operation.

4. A cutting and loading machine comprising `a mobile base, keif cutting mechanism mounted on said base vfor movement relative thereto including an adjustable plane kerf cutter for cutting plane kerfs in the solid 'mineral of a mine vein either horizontally or vertically, and loading mechanism carried by said base at one side 'of the latter and having a forward receiving portion disposable at the oor level, and means for operating said kerf cutter to move its plane side into engagement with the dislodged mineral for moving the latter laterally from the mine floor towards and `onto said forward receiving portion of said loading mechanism.

5. A cutting and loading machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein the forward receiving portion of said loading mechanism is entendible and retractible with respect to said base, and means is provided `on said base .for extending and retracting said forward receiving portion of said loading mechanism.

6. A cutting and loading machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein means is provided for `adjusting said forward receiving portion of said loading mechanism vertically to provide a space therebeneath for receiving the outer portion of said kerf cutter during a portion of the horizontal movement of said kerf cutter as the latter effects its horizontal kerf cutting operation.

7. A cutting and loading machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said forward receiving portion of said loading mechanism has a front penetrating end for penetrating the dislodged mineral on the mine oor when said receiving portion Iis extended toward the mine face.

8. A cutting and loading machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said forward receiving portion of said loading mechanism has a lateral receiving portion for receiving the dislodged mineral as the latter is moved laterally toward said loading mechanism.

9. In combination, a base movable over the door of mineral Vto moyefthe Llatter laterally lontosaid*loading Aplane kerfs inwthe,solidmineralloia mine`vei,. drilling mechanism'adjustablymonted lon said bas'efor drilling blastholes in the solid Ymin'eral'at various locations; loading mechanism. on said base' longitudinally at one side of "saidkerf Vcutting and drillingmechanismscfor loading out Ythe dislodged mineral, means for adjustingsaid kerf cut- .iing mechanism laterally toward one rib relative to said ladingfmechanism'while Vthe'la'tter isdisposed at the oppositev rib, and means for adjusting said drilling mech- Y anism for movement relative to sad'base and to said kerf 'cuttingmechanism into various drilling positions including a drilling positiolin the space between said kerf cutting mechanism and said loading mechanism.

- l1. In combination, a mobile base, kerf cutting mechalnisrn mounted on said base for movement 'relative there to to eiect cuttingof plane kerfs in the solid mineral of a mine vein and including an elongated cutter supporting frame structure extending longitudinallyof said base in advance of the latter, a drilling mechanism adjustably `8 f 12. AA combination Yas setforth-inclaim. 1l` wherein said cutter supporting frame structure, said drillosupporting `frame `structurefandfsaid Yframegstrcture .ofvsaid Yloading `mechapismefach has V"a tiltablerfforvvardportion l:whereby the forward ends Ythereof maybe elevated with respect togsaid base. Y- Y f 13. Afcombinatlonasjsettorth in claimlllfwherein mounted onsaid base and including an elongated'drill vadvance of said base along one side of the latter and saidv cutter supporting frame structure and, said keit cutting mechanism being positionableV and operable to effect its kerf cutting operation by movementrelative to said drilling and loading mechanisms, and said drilling and loadingmechanisms kposition'able While mountably retainedV on said base to permit such operation of said kerf cutting mechanism during cutting.

V-lthelforward longitudinal. projection of lsaidl drillingjmechinalvance of said base Yissubstantially.coextensivefwith the longitudinal forward projection of said 1.loading,mechanism. f1 .j Y. 1, Y

`i4.. In combinati n, a-base movable over -the vlloor of a'minegloading mechanism cam'edby said base Vlongi- V1tudirially` at'roneside of the, latter andhaving afrorward receiving portion disposable atthe oor level but *near the mine-face,` gathering YVmeans carried by said; base com.-

'Yprising an adjustable relativelynarrowelongated gathering bar having a plane-uprightsurface for'engaging loose mineral on the mine doorgaand for; moving thepmineral laterallyA toward said receivingfportion of said loadingV 1mechanism,rand means mounted on said base-for adjustmentrelative thereto and by whichrsaid gathering -bar supported for Vtranslatory movementrover the oor abovethe latter for adjusting and moving said gathering bar, said 'adjusting `and moving means for said gathering Ybar includes mea'nsjforvv swinging said bar Yto'move the upright plane surface horizontally relative t'osaid base near the oorlevel about-parallel vertical axes.Y

' References Cited in thele of this patent. o I UIsHTieD STATES PATENTS 1,232,696 Kuhn' 1 Iulyio, 1917 .Y 1,570,829 Forsyth v Jan.'26, 1926r 1,645,653 Levin Y Y V oct.V 18, 1927 -Y 1,770,306 s F1em1ng' July 8, 1930 1,791,662v Davis Febrlo, 1931 1,908,434; VMadeira. l May 9, 1933 2,218,492 v0sg00 1@ 7 p oct. 15, 1940 2,257,181 McCarthy Sept. 30, 1941 2,261,161j Joy1 Nov. 4, 1941 2,562,881 i Blawinet a1. j Aug. 7, 1951 ,2,736,543 s1qmer V- Feb.. 2s, 1956 2,796,999 Russell June 25, 1957 

